Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-05-11
A SACRIFICE.
From the London Belgravia.

From the London Belgravia.
Many years ago | had q friend, Ken
meth Lambert. He was younger than
myself, at that time five Or six and
twenty, full of apprehension better,
purer existence than the life we lead.
His day dream, cherished for long
time, was to leave society, and, choos-
ing some retired spot, live there alone
with nature, in study and contempla-
ton.
"Ta!k," his friends called it when
they heard OF it. But Kenneth,
hro ugh ali his work-a nd he was no
dler-retained the MOTTO n of this plan.
At last an unexpected legacy enabled
him to leave the bar and purchase the
chosen site for his new home.
It was ruined chapel on the side
of a moor, place he had known all
his life OF the wayside chapel moth
ilig was left but an archway. Behind
this hehad new walls built, dividing the
house into two rooms, one over the
other. When all was completed he
went there. Some people [ know
thought him mad; his sisters laughed,
saying he would soon be tired of his
scheme. / believed in him. would
gladly have Joined him, but man
with wife and child is not a free
agent. He can not retire into a life of
contemplation, however much he may
wish it.
went to see Kenneth in his new
home. The place was almost inaccessi-
BILE; had not Kenneth met me on the
hilltop and shown me the way over
moor and moss, | should never nave
found it. The chapel was In copse;
wild stream brawled by it. The oak,
alder and holly were restrained by g.
fence from encrOaching on the chapel,
and marsh plants thrust their stems
through the bars. The nearest house
was farmhouse half g. mile away.
Kenneth's bedroom was simple, his
sitting-room furnished in perfect taste.
On the walls some fine etchings, a
plaster relief whence smiled the home
" face Of Socrates, on bracket an
image Of Buddha. Between these was
an engraving of Dore's ''Vale OF
Tears" Books, too, there were In
plenty, and the fox terrier, such were
Kenneth's companions.
L
this remark.
"And here it is that you will stay.
IN peace and quiet" | said, ''until
your mission sends you forth"
'fPeace and quiet?" he answered,
smiling; F'no, those are not for me. I
have q presentiment that this ideal
life viii not last long. Ishall marry"
Hooked incredulously at him. He
showed me his hand. at is written
here" he said: 81 see it only too
plainly. Far as it is from my desires,
1t is fated.'
For more than six months | heard
nothing Of Kenneth. We went for the
winter to Torremouth, / and my wife,
and, TO our surprise and pleasure,
found the Lamberts had the house
next our own. We had fat, and on
the fat below us lived Mrs. Vernay.
Mrs. Vernay was the belle of Tore
mouth, and justly; l never saw any
woman so beautiful, never shall again
see such @ face She was tall and
slight. with fair skin, blue eyes,
shaded with dark lashes, and her
shapely head crowned with really
golden hair. No art was there; it was
all nature, nature in her utmost per
ectiOn. She was young, g. widow,
said to be enormously rich, but had
she been d beggar maid We all should
have Worshiped her. Young, old,
single, married, there were none but
paid homage at her shrine.
Frank Lambert was badly bitten by
her charms He was two-and-tWenty,
home for his first long leave. Mrs.
Vernay ENCOURAGED him more than
any of the others; perhaps being such
q boy she looked on him as a. safe
game I know that shestole his heart
with the first glance of her violet eyes,
and that he has never recovered from
her influence.
We were sitting together one after
noon Ia the Lamberts' drawing-room
when Kenneth walked in. Tore
mouth was not more than ten miles
from his retreat, and he had walked
Over, not to pay his mother passing
visit, but to stay if she would have
him.
Did any mother ever refuse to re-
ceive her eldest son? How the girls
laughed at him, dec airing their
prophecies true, and saying he was
weary of solitude. / felt g. little sur
prised at him. Only one person pre-
served her faith in him; this was Grace
Cheslyn, the girls friend, almost like
another sister. She was staying with
them, and upheld Kenneth whatever
We might say.
Mrs. Vernay dined that night with
the Lamberts, coming in like some
beautiful being from another world,
Jewels glinting in her dress, and in her
hair a snake that glittered with dia-
monds and rubies.
We ali came and paid court to her,
Kenneth included. She looked with
interest at him, saying:
sAh! The hermit brother. have